Advertisement

Invictus hopeful invited to Royal Wedding

Prince Harry presenting Mark Ormrod with silver at the Invictus Games in Canada. Credit: PA

A former Royal Marine from Plymouth, who lost both his legs and an arm in Afghanistan has a double celebration.

Mark Ormrod - who served with 40 Commando based in Taunton - has not only been selected to compete in this year's Invictus Games in Sydney but also has been invited to the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on Saturday 19 May.

What advice did Mark Ormrod have for the happy couple?

Sorry, this content isn't available on your device.

Mark Ormrod first met Prince Harry at Headley Court in 2008 where he spent nine weeks recovering after stepping on a mine during a routine patrol in 2007.

The two were reunited at the Prince's Invictus Games in Toronto in 2017 where Mark won four medals and a special award for exceptional performance. The Invictus Games is the only international adaptive sporting event for injured active duty and veteran service members.

Mark competed in indoor rowing for which he won two silver medals, and swimming which earned him two bronze medals.

The former marine said he was unsure that he would be selected for this year's Invictus Games in Sydney.

I honestly didn’t think I’d get selected to compete two years in a row due to the huge popularity of the event and the huge number of incredible athletes all competing for a spot but I’m extremely grateful to have been given the opportunity, an opportunity I don’t take lightly

Now that I have a goal on the horizon it’s time to hunker down in the Amputee Torture Chamber, end my relationship with Ben & Jerry, replace 50% of my blood stream with amino acids and develop an unhealthy obsession with training and protein shakes.

Mark took part in the Invictus trials in Bath in April 2018 and it was there that he not only met up with Prince Harry again but the royal also introduced him to his bride-to-be Meghan Markle. An invitation to their wedding is the icing on the cake for their relationship.

It probably came as a relief for Mark Ormrod to discover that he has been selected to compete in swimming, rowing and - in a new departure - shot put and discus at the Invictus Games in Australia in October.

Training is already away but he'll have to set it aside when he heads for Windsor this weekend.